Alex Eala Advances to Round of 16 at WTA Tour National Bank Open After Thrilling Match

Alex Eala triumphed over American Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to secure her place in the Round of 16 at the WTA Tour National Bank Open in Toronto on Friday (Saturday, PST). This victory marked Eala’s third consecutive win against an American opponent, following her success against Jessica Pegula in the Mubadala DC Open final and a previous victory over Alycia Parks in Toronto. At just 21 years old, the Filipina talent remains undefeated in her North American hard-court campaign, boasting an impressive record of 7-0.

Addressing concerns about an ankle sprain sustained during the match, Eala stated, “I’m OK. Yeah, I think I survived that one. It was so tough.”

In a match characterized by early struggles on serve, both Eala, seeded No. 25 and currently ranked No. 20 in the world, and McNally exchanged breaks in the opening three games. McNally managed to hold serve in the fourth game, taking a brief lead at 3-1. However, Eala responded effectively, reclaiming control by breaking McNally again to level the set at 3-3. The Filipina then consolidated her break and intensified her baseline aggression, ultimately breaking McNally one last time in the eighth game before securing the opening set, 6-3. Eala’s dominant 12-5 lead in winners was crucial in this initial frame.

The second set featured a more competitive exchange, with both players holding serve initially. After a string of three consecutive breaks, Eala was up 3-2 but called for a medical timeout due to her ankle injury. This seemed to hinder her performance, as McNally seized the opportunity to break Eala’s serve in the sixth game, regaining the lead at 4-3. Eala managed to hold serve in the eighth game but was unable to maintain momentum, as McNally took the set 7-5, setting the stage for a decisive third set.

In the final set, Eala jumped to a 2-0 lead following a break in the first game, which ultimately proved pivotal. She held her serve and concluded the match in the 10th game after the remaining games went to service, finishing the contest with determination.

After the match, Eala praised McNally for her sportsmanship, remarking, “I want to thank Caty for a great match, being a great sport. It’s one of those matches that I really could have gone either way.” Eala acknowledged the match’s close nature, attributing the outcome to “details and a little bit of luck.”

Reflecting on her recent performances in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, Eala described the experience as “incredible,” filled with “so many extreme emotions.” She expressed her gratitude for the support of the crowd, stating, “To play in front of you guys, it’s amazing. The motivation to come here and play another match.” Eala looks forward to her next challenge against No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic, who advanced after defeating Taylor Townsend 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-4.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn